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Samples of Majiayao pottery from Majiayao phase. Credit: Gruschke / CC BY-SA 3.0 Archaeologists in China have discovered the largest known settlement of the ancient Majiayao culture in Gansu Province of China. The find, announced by the team working at the Siwa site in Lintao, marks a significant breakthrough in understanding this Neolithic civilization that thrived 5,000 years ago.
The settlement, unearthed after seven years of excavation, spans over one million square meters. It is the first central Majiayao settlement found in more than a century.
Researchers have identified remains of houses, storage pits, kilns, and tombs, along with traces of roads and large mounds of earth. These findings suggest the site was a major hub for its time, offering new insights into early community organization and development.

Experts believe this discovery sheds light on the societal and agricultural advancements of the Majiayao culture. It provides a clearer picture of how ancient communities adapted to the western Loess Plateau and contributed to the early development of civilization in northwestern China.
First traces of the Majiayao culture discovered in 1924
The Majiayao culture, which existed from 3300 to 2000 BC, is recognized as one of the first agricultural societies to thrive along the upper Yellow River. This culture primarily occupied areas in modern-day Gansu, Qinghai, and Sichuan provinces. Its painted pottery, a hallmark of the era, is celebrated as some of the finest examples of ancient craftsmanship.
The first traces of the Majiayao culture were discovered in 1924 by Swedish archaeologist Johan Gunnar Andersson near Majiayao village in Lintao County. Initially thought to be part of the Yangshao culture, later studies led by Chinese archaeologist Xia Nai identified it as a distinct culture. The Majiayao culture has since been classified into three phases: the Majiayao phase (3300–2500 BC), the Banshan phase (2500–2300 BC), and the Machang phase (2300–2000 BC).
Archaeological evidence shows that Majiayao settlements were typically located on terraces along river valleys, such as the Wei, Tao, and Yellow Rivers. These fertile lands provided resources for farming, which was a key factor in the culture’s expansion.
Role of painted pottery in the Majiayao culture
Painted pottery is one of the most distinctive features of the Majiayao culture. During the early Majiayao phase, pottery was adorned with black designs, including sweeping lines and dots.
In the Banshan phase, curvilinear patterns in black and red became common, while the Machang phase saw simpler designs, often less polished. The evolution of this pottery reflects interactions between local hunter-gatherer groups and the westward expansion of agricultural communities.
By the end of the third millennium BC, the Majiayao culture succeeded the Qijia culture, marking the next stage of development in the region.
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